Factors Influencing Self-Employment Intentions of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TEVET) Engineering Graduates in Ndola District, Zambia

The ongoing problem of graduate unemployment in Zambia, especially among Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TEVET) graduates has... This analysis documents the determinants of self-employment intentions among engineering graduates from Northern Technical College (NORTEC) in Ndola District, Zambia. Based on the Theory of Entrepreneurial Competency, this study uses concurrent mixed-method research design, combining quantitative survey data from 232 TEVET engineering students and qualitative data from focus group discussions. The research argues that self-employment intentions can be better understood by examining both contextual and psychological factors. In relation to Graduates, entrepreneurial skills gap, lack of adequate institutional support and negative self-perceptions are some of the factors that limit these graduates from pursuing an entrepreneurial career. In contrast, demographic and social variables are insignificant. This study highlights the importance of policy interventions that foster entrepreneurship education, provide startup capital, and support the development of a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem within Zambia's TEVET institutions. The results will inform the overall discourse on self-employment among the youth and have practical implications for educational policymakers, training institutions, and programs for developing entrepreneurship.